Lamp control mechanism for message transmitting systems



4`May 9, 1933.

A. D. EITZEN LAMP CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MESSAGE TRANSMITTING SYSTEMS Filed March l0, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Eff INVENTOR ATTORNE May 9, 1933- A. D. EITZEN 1,908,333

LAMP CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MESSAGE TRANSMITTING SYSTEMS Filed Mamh lO, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTOR Y Patented May 9, `1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUGrU'SI.' D. EITZEN, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO -PROJ-'ECTION CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK LAM? coNTaoL Mn'cnnmsM ron Mnssaen 'raANsM'ITTING SYSTEMS t Application led March 10, 1930.L Serial No. 434,539. S S U My invention relatesto means for controlling the lam circuits of projecting apparatus operate in conjunction with message transmitting or receiving instruments The principal object is to control the lamp circuits of any or all of the projectors in the system from the controlling switchmechanism of the corresponding tape printm ing machine; and specifically to control the lamp circuit by means of a -relay which is operated by the switch and relay, mechanism of the printing machine-and in turn actuates a mercury switch in the house current line and in circuit with the projector lamp, so that when the controlling switch of any printing machinein the system is moved to voperative position the lamps .of all thel projectors in the system are lit by means associated with the individual tape printing and circuit, the necessary highamperageis suc- ,l

cessfully handled and all the lamps in the system may be lit or extinguished coincidentallyI with the closing and opening of the motor circuits of all the printing machinesnn the system, without any complication or effect upon the action of the printing machine or its switcher"` relay mechanism o and without necessity for running any line circuits` through the building to interconnect the projector lamps of the different units. One example of the utility of the invention is in the installation of such a message 45 transmitting system in a hospital where itL is desiredto simultaneously vlsually present a message such as a call for a physician, on all of a plurality of screens located in dif- 50 ferent rooms, etc., and the lighting of all of the projector lamps' simultaneously, with 'ously starting and stopping all of the moplacing the printing machines in condition for operation, causes the screens to be illuminated and directs attention toathe message to be thrown upon the screen; and sim ilarly when the transmission, or projection of the message is discontinued the lamps are simultaneously extinguished and the screens are darkened.

The invention also includes provision for" operating the' printing 'machines 'or any of themv without lighting the correspondingprojector lamp. This is valuable in some cases, as inl an intercommunicating system when it may be desired to transmit a message for `reading directl from the ta es 65 of the various printers an without throwmg the legend upon the screen for general observation, as for example, in uses analogous to stock quotation transmitting systems, where it may be desired to transmita message for the observation of brokerswfitliout throyvin the message on the screen for observation y customers.

These and otherv features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subjoined detail description of one embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a sys-` tem'and mechanism embodying the' invention in oneform;

Fig.- 2-is a detail view of a modified switch operating mechanism; and f Fig. 3 is a diagram of a somewhat modi.- fied controlling circuit for thelamp switch 35 relay.

In Fig. 1, 1--1 are any known or suitable tape (printers or telegraphic printers, as viewe from-the rear, representlng any de-` sired number in a system, any or all of 99 which may be combined transmitters and receivers or any number of which may be arranged for operation as receivers only. Each of these machines includes a motor 2, and a controlling switch 3 for closing and 95j opening the message transmitting circuit including a relay magnet for a relay mechanism 4, represente by the` conductors 5,

connecting all the printers, and simultane- 1'00 tors. The switches are so arranged that any one of them will act to put all of the printers in operative or inoperative condition. v

Associated with each printergis projecting apparatus comprising a projector proper 6, enclosing the lamp 7, a tape puller 8S for drawing the tape from the printer and across the light aperture of the projector, and a switch 9 controlled bya follower 10 running on a loop 11 of the tape 12 to control operation of the ta e Vpuller in accordance with the action o the printer, allv as well understood by skilled persons', and as set forth in various of my previous applications. The projector of course includes suitable lenses, the objective lenses 13 only vbeing represented and each objective is arranged to throw the light beam, with or without interposedmirrors, on a conveniently located screen l(not shown).

For proper illumination, the lamps 7 are of high amperage, and for their proper cogi- 1 cury and also having pockets 17 containing.

separatedcontacts or wire terminals, outer portions of which are connected into one of the conductors-14, as shown. The switch cartridge is carried'by a support 18 mounted to oscillate on the center 19, and is operated by `the armature 20 of a relay 21,y the yarmature being connected to the switch( support as `by a link'22.` The armature is fulcrumed at 23 and is operated by .a relay magnet 24 which acts against a spring 25"'which normally moves the Yarmature away from the l magnet and tilts the switch to circuit breaking position.

' The controlling relay 4 having a relay magnet in the message transmitting circuit 5, 5 of the tape printer 1 has one of its contacts or terminals connected to one of the motor terminals by a conductor 30, and from the other motor terminal a conductor 31 runs to one terminal of relay magnet 24. From the other terminal of this magnet a conductor 32 runs to one of the prongs of a ,plug 33 and from the other 'plug prong aI conductor 34 runs to the other contact or terminal ofthe printer-controlling relay 4.

By the described arrangement each tape printer with its associated projector may be connected into the house circuit by merely inserting the two plugs in conveniently `lo- ',ated plug sockets, and there is no necessity for inter-wiring of the different units and especially no necessity for inter-wiring for their lamp circuits. The circuit-for the lamp -it a spring-operated pawl 40 acting on a is also kept separate from the power circuit for the tape printer so that the lheavy current draw of the lamp has no effect upon the lprinting machine or its switch or relay mechanism. Whenever the controlling'switch of any of the printers. is, thrown to operative position, all of the printer motors are started and the transmission line between the printers is energized, and simultaneously the current flow to each of the printer motors energizes the magnet of the corresponding relay 21, thus causing the corresponding mercury switch to move to circuit 4closing position and lighting the lamp, so that all of the proj ectors in the system illuminate their respective screens to call attention to the message about to be transmitted. When vany cony trolling switch is moved to olf position the printers are deenergized and simultaneously the relayv magnets 24 are deenergized and all of the lamps are extinguished.

Fig. 2 shows a lamp-switch control mecha- 'nism arranged to permit message transmission selectively with or without lighting the projector lamps, in order, for example, to avoid throwing a transmitted message upon the screens, as referred to early above.. In this arrangement the relay 21 may vbe as be: fore, but its armature 20 has connected to circular ratchet 41, which may have a detent pawl 42. The ratchet wheel is connected to a gear44 engaging a pinion 45 and this pinion is connected by a crank pin 46 and link or pitman 47 to the switch support" 18. The gear 44 and pinion 45 have diameters' related to the number of teeth on the ratchet wheel 41. Thus, if there are twelve vteeth on the wheel, as shown, the multiplying ratio as between gear 44 and the pinion will be six to one, in order to rotate the crank pin 46one-half revolution about the pinion axis each time the pawl 40 moves the ratchet wheel one tooth space., This type of switch mechanism may be included 1n any or all of the projecting units.

When the operator at a control station closes the switch of the printing machine, to

put the entire system in operating condition,

if` the parts of the lamp circuit control mech- .anism are Iin the position of Fig. 2,. the

been placed in operation while the lamp circuits are broken. Toclose all thelamp circuits for projectionsimultaneously with mesand then againimmediately to operative position, whereupon the frelay magnet 24 will F ig. 3 shows that the circuit for the relay Wmagnet 24 may be different, or differently arranged in relation to the circuit of the motor 2 of the tape printer or printing telegraph 1. Thus, in Fig. 3 the relay magnet 24 is inf'par'allel or shunt relatiorr. to the motor circuit,one lead running from-one side of the motor circuit `to one terminal of the relay magnet and another conductor 57 runninglfrom the other side of the motor circuit to the other terminal of the relay 'magnet. The lamp circuit including the mercury, switch 16a is easily traced without explanation. The operation is the same as explained in connection with Fig. 1.

It is obvious that various changes and vmodifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention set forth in the appended claimsf I hclaims- 1. In combination with a projector including a lamp, a message transmitting cir c uit including the relay magnet of a controlling relay and a tape printer including a motor and a motor circuit operatively associated "with said relay magnet, a lamp vcircuit including said lamp and a switch, and a second relay including a relay magnet for operating the switch associatedy with said lamp circuit, said first -relay magnet being energized when a message is transmitted to said printer in turn to close the motor circuit to operate the motor, and the relay magnet or said second relayA being thereupon energized when current Hows through said motor clrcuit in turn to close said lamp switch,

'2. In apparatus or a system `of the class described, in .combination with a message transmitting circuit including the relay inagnet of a controlling relay, a tape lprinter includinga motor and a motor circuit, operatively associated with Said relay magnet, and a projector. including a lamp,`an independent'lamp circuit including a Vmercury switch, and a second relay connected to operate the switch, the relayA magnet for said latter relay being included in saidmotor circuit, whereby the lamp circuit is closed when lthe printer is put in operative condition, and broken when the printer is inoperative,

being energized when a message is transmit-i,

jted to said printer in turn to Lclese the motor circuit to operate the motor, and thef relay magnet of said second relay being thereupon energized'when current flows through said motor circuit in turn to close 'said mercury switch.` j

3. In combination with a projector including a lamp' and a tape printer including a motor, a motor circuit and a contrclling relay in said circuit, a lamp circuit including said lamp anda switch, a relay for operating the switch and included in said motor circuit, and means intermediate the lamp cir-` cuit controlling relay and the lampvswitch and acting selectively by repetitious actions of the tape printer controlling relay to illluminate` or extinguish the lamp while thev 4. In combination with a. projector in-v printer is in active condition.

cluding a lamp and -a tape printer including a motor, amotor circuit and a-controlling relay in said circuit, a lamp circuit includingsaid lamp and a switch, a relay for operating\the switch and included in said motor circuit, and means intermediate the vlamp circuit relay and the switch for moving the switch to closed circuit position by one actuation ofthe relay and to open circuit 'osition on the nextactuation of the relay) .5. A communication system of the charv v acter described comprisingl a message transmitting circuit including thel relay magnet ofl a ,controlling relay, and a lurality of units, each unit comprising a printer ineluding a motor and a vmotor circult operatively associated with said cntrolling relay, and

a projector including a lamp, an independent lamp circuitincluding a mercury switch, and a second relay connected to operate the switch, the relay magnet for vsaid second relay being included in said lmotor circuit, whereby the lamp circuit is'closed when 'the printer is put in operativecondition, and broken -when the printer is inoperative, said controlling relay being actuated when a message is transmitted to said-printer in turn to close the vmotor circuit to operate the motor, and the relay magnet of said second relay being energized when current flows through ,said motor .circuit to close said switch. u ,4

6. A rcommunication system of the character described 4comprising a plurality funits, each .unit comprising a printer including a motor, a motor circuitAand a controlling relay in said circuit, a projector including av lamp,y a lamp -circuit including said lamp and a switch, a relay for operating the switch. and included 'in sa'id'pmotor circuit, and means intermediate'the lamp circuitcontrolling relay and the lamp switch and Y .acting selectivefy by repetitious action of the the relay'magnet of the controlling relay tapeprinter controlling relay to illuminate or 'extinguish the lamp`while the printer is in active condition.

` put in operative condition, and broken when the printer is inoperative, and means intermediate the lamp circuit relay and the switch for moving the switch to closed circuit position by one actuation of the relay and to open circuit position on the next actuation of the relay, said controlling relay being actuated when a message is transmitted to said printer in turn to close the motor circuit to operate the motor, and the relay magnet for said second relay being energized when current i'lows through said motor circuit in turn to close said lamp switchn 8. In combination with a message transmitting circuit includingthe relay magnet of a controlling relay, a projector including a lamp, and a tape printer including a motor and a motor circuit operatively associated to be controlled by said controlling relay,

a lamp circuit including said lamp and a switch, a second relay for operating the switch and included in said motor circuit,

and means intermediate said second relay and the lamp switch and acting selectively by repetitions actions of thev tape printer controlling relay to illuminate or extinguish the lamp while the printer is in active condition.

9. In combination with a message transmitting circuitincluding the relay magnet of a controlling relay, a projector including a lamp, and a tape printer including a motor and a motor circuit operativel associated to be controlled by said control ing relay, a lamp circuit including said lamp anda switch, a second relay for operating the swltch and included in said motor circuit, and means intermediate said second relay and said switch for moving the switch to closed circuit positionby one actuation of the second relay and to open circuit -position on the next actuation-of said second-relay.

10. A communication system of the character described comprisingfa message transmitting circuit operatively associatedto operate a controlling relay and a plurality of units, each unit comprising a printer including a-motor anu a motor circuit controlled1 by -said controlling relay, a projector including a lamp, a lamp circuit including said lamp and a switch, a second relay 'for operating theswitch and included in said motor circuit, and means intermediate said vsecond relay and said switch and acting selectively by repetitious action of the tape. printer controlling relay to illuminate or extinguish the lamp while the printer is in switch,` the relay magnet for said latter relay being included in said motor circuit, whereby the lamp circuit is closed when the printer is put in operative condition, and broken when the printer is inoperative, the relaymagnet of the controlling relay being energized when a message is transmltted to said printer in turn to close the motor circuit to operate the motor, and the relay magnet of said second relay being thereupon energized when current flows through said motor circuit in qturn to close said switch.

12. A communication system of the character described comprising a message trans-v mit-ting circuit including the relay magnet of a controlling relay, and a plurality of units, each unit comprising a printer in`- cluding a motor and a motor circuit operatively associated with said controlling relay, and a projector including a lamp, an

independent lamp circuit including a switch,

and a second relay connected to operate the switch, the relay magnet for said second relay being included in said motor circuit, whereby the lamp circuit isclosed when the printer is put in operative condition, and broken when the printer is inoperative, said.

controlling relay being actuatedwhen a mes-l sage is transmitted to said printer in turn to close the motor circuit to operate the moe tor, and the relay magnet of said second relay being energized when current llows through said moltor circuit to close said switch. c y

13.- A communication syste'm of the character described comprising a message trans- 1,15

mitting circuit operatively associated to op.- erate a controlling relay, and a plurality of units, each unit comprising a printer in'l cluding a motor and a motor circuit operatively associated with said controlling relay, and a projector including a lamp, an inde- .pendent lamp circuit including- `a switch, a

-second relay connected to operate the switch, I

the relay magnet for said second relay being included in said motor circuit, whereby the lamp circuit is closed when the printer is put in operative condition, and broken when the printer. is inoperative, and means intermediate the lamp circuit relay and the switch for moving the switch to Closed c1rcuit position by one actuationof the relayk and to open circuit position on the next actuation of the relay, said controlling relay being actuated when a message is transmitted to said printer in turn'to close the motor circuit to operate the motor, and the relay magnet for said second relay being energized when current flows through said motor circuit in turn to close said lamp switch.

AUGUST D. EITZEN. 

